Plus, if you happen to be a blogger yourself, big or small – you can attend either TBEX event and save 20% on your registration with their code iglta20.

Fort Lauderdale, host of the 2015 TBEX North American Conference – photo via Daniel Dudek-Corrigan on Flickr / CC BY

What is IGLTA, you say? And why should you care?

Well first off, our blog has been a member of IGLTA now for almost 2 years. We first got acquainted with them when their convention came to Madrid in the spring of 2014. As an LGBT traveler, you might not be aware of their organization because they tend to focus more on business-to-business relationships. But as consumers, we all benefit from the work they’ve done the past 30+ years. Today, airlines, hotels, destinations and travel companies from around the world join IGLTA to improve their products and services for the LGBT community. Among other things, they help to train non gay-owned companies to be sensitive to LGBT issues when it comes to travel.

We are huge supporters of IGLTA and have made great contacts and friends at the various events held the past 2 years we’ve been active. Each year, they even give out several scholarships for tourism students and emerging destinations to attend the annual convention, just recently held in Los Angeles. We attended the conference and actually spoke as part of a New Media Panel, discussing social media and blogging along with fellow LGBTQ bloggers Adam from Travels of Adam, Meg with Dopes on the Road and Davey Wavey…have you heard of him?!

Visiting Palm Springs with one of our favorite vloggers Bly from the Button and By Travel Show

Now for the second time, IGLTA is reaching out to travel bloggers, which is a huge step for them, for us and all our readers. It’s important because they are trying to focus more on the everyday LGBT traveler to help become a resource and they can do that with the help of bloggers like us. Whether it’s providing a listing of gay friendly destinations, hotels with LGBT inclusive policies and training or simply inspiring you to visit places you’ve never thought of, we’re happy to work together and promote the importance of the work they do.

Does anyone really “gay travel?”

We know everyone travels differently, some preferring gay destinations and events while others prefer not to be excluded and seperate because of their orientation. Though one common issue remains between all types – we all want to travel safely, comfortably and know that we won’t be discriminated against or be put in awkward situations during our trip. In our opinion, until we see full equality around the world, there will always be a need for blogs like ours focusing on travel for the LGBT community and for groups like IGLTA, a non-profit organization that helps to pave the way for all of us.

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